Hyve has partnered with Barbara Sahakian, Professor of Clinical Neuropsychology at the University of Cambridge, to uncover the ways in which the pandemic has transformed our brains and how it has impacted our working lives. The study we're publishing today highlights the significance of in-person professional social interactions and their essential role in rebuilding lost connections.
"We’re passionate about creating game-changing impact for people and businesses, and for us, this is all about harnessing the power of in-person connections" says Mark Shashoua, CEO of Hyve. "It was something we wanted to dig into further, so we undertook some research of today’s working population in the UK."
Key findings include:
- 60% of professionals surveyed reported concerns about the long-term negative impacts of the lockdowns on their mental wellbeing and brain function.
- A quarter (25%) reported feeling more disengaged with their work post-pandemic, within that 15% admit to “quiet quitting” as a consequence of remote or hybrid working arrangements.
- 58% of respondents say they now socialise less than they did before the pandemic and 52% say they have experienced increased feelings of loneliness due to the pandemic.
- On a positive note, half (49%) say meeting professionally in-person is most effective for achieving results and building relationships, while just 18% say remote meetings are more effective than in-person connections.
- 54% say they’re more energised when they meet with colleagues, friends and family or network in person.
These findings are echoed in the conclusions of Professor Barbara Sahakian’s report, which highlights the positive impact of returning to in-person professional events on mental health and wellbeing.
Professor Barbara J Sahakian, University of Cambridge Department of Psychiatry, commented: “The COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns had an immediate effect on our mental health, our cognition and our brains. As humans living in society, our brains develop to support social interactions and our social relationships play a vital role in our mental health. Now is the time to remedy these problems if we are to get back to full mental fitness and get maximum enjoyment for our home and work lives."
Mark Shashoua added: “Our hope is that this research will guide organizations in navigating the post-pandemic landscape, highlighting the importance for brain function of getting teams back together and inspiring them to build stronger, more resilient communities."
